Maybe it's because I'm getting older, but lately books about spirituality and aging have started to appeal to me. Like Insane for the Light: A Spirituality for Our Wisdom Years by Father Ron Rolheiser. (Originally from Cactus Lake, SK.)
The book references the Hindu tradition of Ashrama, or the four stages of life starting with Brahmacharya, or student stage; Grihastha, or householder stage; and Vanaprastha, or forest dwelling stage—a time we call retirement today, a time of leaving a life of work and gently disengaging from that former world, a time of expressing gratitude and engaging in forgiveness of others and, importantly, yourself.
That is preparation for the final stage, called Sannyasa, or sage, a time before death when people become “insane for the light” of spiritual liberation.
Read more in my recent column in the Free Press.
